BACKGROUND:
The association between platelet distribution width (PDW) and cancer has been evaluated by a few studies, but the influence of PDW on cancer prognosis is unclear. Therefore, we conducted the present meta-analysis.MATERIAL AND METHODS:
We identified relevant research using identical search strategies. The influence of PDW level on cancer prognosis, as well as clinical characteristics, was analyzed.RESULTS:
A total of 11 studies comprising 2625 cancer patients were included in our meta-analysis. The results suggested that high PDW level was obviously related to poor OS (HR=1.54, 95%CI 1.18–2.00), especially for breast cancer (HR=1.21, 95%CI 1.07–1.36) and pharyngolaryngeal cancer (HR=3.06, 95%CI 1.68–5.57). Furthermore, high PDW was obviously related to poor OS both in older and younger subgroups, with combined HR estimates of 1.58 (95%CI 1.15–2.16) and 1.64 (95%CI 1.19–2.26), respectively. High PDW level was notably related to poor OS in the cut-off value ³16% subgroup (HR=1.84, 95%CI 1.01–3.40). Moreover, high PDW level was obviously associated with lymph node metastasis (OR=1.43, 95%CI 1.04–1.99).CONCLUSIONS:
The findings of this study suggest that PDW is an effective and convenient indicator of cancer prognosis. Furthermore, high PDW level is obviously associated with lymph node metastasis.

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